<p>Facing a $6 million shortfall, the South Country school board will vote on its new budget on Wednesday, with one option calling for a more than 13% tax increase.</p>


Long Island

Education

liCUTS260424_video

LI school board could adopt budget with 13% tax increase

Bellport

East Patchogue

onecms:08c6fc93-6ca5-42a5-b110-b103fddb73ab

Newsday

Options include steep tax increases

liCUTS260424_photos

Most Popular

Latest videos

Education video slot

A peer mentoring program at Shoreham-Wading River High School brings students together through the joy of music.

'Enjoy the process together'

Jesse Findling, of Massapequa Park, made a stop at his alma mater on Monday. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'He just followed his dream'

A federal judge approved an agreement this week to phase out the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, Plan. The move could affect millions of borrowers. Newsday's experts break it down.

'A lot of uncertainty'

The East Meadow school district is asking taxpayers to vote yes on a $71.5 million capital improvement bond. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It's good for the school district'

Sign up for The Classroom newsletter

Education Newsletter Widget

Wendy Way "doesn't just teach history and philosophy — she brings them to life for her students," one Bethpage colleague said.

Teacher to disco dance her way into retirement

Education Article Bottom Module

The 2026-27 budget could call for a more than 13% tax levy increase to fill a nearly $6 million shortfall.

School board to adopt budget tonight that could raise tax levy by 13%

State education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa issued the ruling in response to an appeal on behalf of the parents of a transgender Massapequa student.

State strikes down LI districts' transgender bathroom policies

Ivy enters fray with report finding plunge in confidence in academia nationally.

Yale exam reveals propensity for the left

Patrick G. Harrigan will replace Lori Cannetti, who has been leading the Patchogue-Medford district since last summer.

Suffolk school district names new superintendent

The ExploraVision Competition challenged students to envision technology that might exist a decade or more in the future.

3 teams from LI schools named regional winners in technology competition

Two schools, one in Hempstead and another in Riverhead, were ranked among the bottom 5% of schools statewide.

23 LI schools flagged for poor academic performance

Education Video Playlist

Dental professor Ira B. Lamster said the break with Stony Brook University was unrelated to the funding he received from Epstein. Newsday investigative reporter Joshua Solomon has more.

$100G grant from Epstein

A new report says the risks of AI in education are greater than the benefits. NewsdayTV spoke with a panel of experts on the topic.

A look at the risks of AI in education

It's been 40 years since the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Long Islanders remember where they were on Jan. 28, 1986.

'We had no idea what would transpire'

Under Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, Long Island districts would see a 3.8% increase in state aid. However, some districts would see modest decreases. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'I'm concerned for the kids'

Gov. Hochul unveiled plans for her state budget proposal, including no new state taxes, a 4.3% increase in school aid and no taxes on tips. NewsdayTV political analyst Joye Brown has more.

'You can make historic investments'

Each semifinalist will receive $2,000 and their school will receive a matching amount. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'I'm ecstatic'

Mamdani made universal child care a cornerstone of his campaign. NewsdayTV's Macy England talks with experts on how his plan could impact Long Island.

'I think it's an awesome idea'

Smithtown High School West sophomore Nicholas Cardi, is working with NASA on a project called Radio JOVE.

An out of this world experience

NewsdayTV's Jasmine Anderson is joined by education experts to discuss the rising concerns of marijuana vaping in Long Island schools.

'Young people are turning to vaping ... to cope'

President Trump vowed new immigration policies following the deadly ambush on two National Guard soldiers in Washington. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'I don't agree with it. I think it's appalling'

Educators and addiction experts across Long Island say that with the legalization of marijuana, vaping among adolescents has become a concerning trend.

Some schools installing detection systems

The robotics club at Floyd built a T-shirt bot, a machine that shoots shirts into the crowds at sporting events.

'You just watch the crowd go wild'

Newsday TV shorts

Vertical videos

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn shares her personal story.

NewsdayTV reporter Shari Einhorn details cancer battle: 'My diagnosis completely threw me for a loop'

Babylon Mercantile will be hosting a cooking competition called "Mercantile Diced" for its guests throughout the year.

Babylon restaurant hosts cooking competition 

Carmine G. Agnello, of Oyster Bay, had tried to use a potential organ donation to his mother to avoid prison after his conviction in the loan scheme. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

John Gotti's grandson sentenced to prison for $1.1M COVID fraud

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the spot that was once a cornerstone of Long Island life in Calverton. Grumman was the region's top employer and the birthplace of the legendary F-14 Tomcat.

Out East: Where the future took off at Grumman Memorial Park

Newsday food writers Erica Marcus and Marie Elena Martinez dine at Ensō no Sato in Huntington, one of the places on Newsday's 2026 best sushi list.

Nothing fishy about FeedMe's top sushi spots for 2026

Newsday Sports' Ben Dickson and Andrew Gross look at some of the reasons why attendance at Islanders game rose this season.

Schaefer helped boost Isles' attendance at UBS Arena this season

Syosset native Adam Pascal is directing "Feels like the First Time," which features the songs of Foreigner, at Tilles Center in Brookville.

Foreigner holds world premiere of new musical on Long Island

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the story of the "Long Island Lolita."

Picture This: That time Amy Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco

NewdayTV's Elisa DiStefano heads to Adventureland to ride the new attraction, Wave Twister.

Newsday Exclusive: New ride at Adventureland

The IRS says the average refund amount as of April 3 was $3,462. Here's what a sampling of taxpayers had to say. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

How Long Islanders plan to spend their tax refunds

Long Island Trending Bar

Suffolk

Nassau

Newsday is highlighting the passionate, engaging and innovative educators of Long Island with its Teacher Spotlight feature.

Teacher Spotlight

High School Sports

The polls have closed in Long Island's more than 120 school districts after residents weighed in on board candidates, budgets, and propositions. See the results in your district. Read more here.

School board, budget vote results

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Education - megaslot

Follow Long Island school district news from Nassau & Suffolk  including rankings, budgets, test scores and educator pay. 

Stay logged in.